New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-02-02
HE SERVES LESS THAN FOUR YEARS OUT OF fiF-
TEEN AND WILL NOW GO WEST.

Ur SERVES LESS THAN FOUR YEARS OUT OF fIF-
TEEN AND WILL NOW GO WEST.
TRENTON. Feb 1 Special. Oscar L. Baldwin
gained his liberty to-day. He the cashier of the
Mechanics National Bank Of Newark which institn-
ton he ruined few years ago by msapplying several
million dollars, all the money it had He pleaded
guilty to three indictments, and Judge Nixon, of the
Federal Court, sentenced him to five years at hard
labor in the State Prison upon each indictment, and
also to pay the costs OF the prosecuted CONT justice
opinion filed to-day, declares the sentence illegal 1t
is manifest says the Court that the sentence is I'M
certain because it does not specify upon which indet
ment either OF the terms OF imprisonment is to be
undergone II the prisoner Ia to be detained In prison
for three successive terms neither he nor The keeper OF
the prison any other person knows under when
indictment he has passed his first torn under which
he will have to pass the second or third Without the
last words of the sentence declaring that the terms OF
the IMPRISONMENT should not run cOncurrenty" II
would Be sufficiently clear and certain. II would then
nv force of law be a sentence Of five years mprison-
ment on each indictment, and each sentence would
begin to at and they would oil run concur
reptly Snch sentence Is lawful and proper but the
addition that they not to run concurrenty with
out specifying the order In which they were to run is
uncertain and incapable OF application.
Baldwin had expected tie news but nevertheless
was deeply affected vixen 1t was conveyed to him His
brother Theodore Bald wln brought him snit OF ne
clothes which he donned previously to his departure
from the prison. He set free at IL o'clock and at
once left the CITY, II is believed that he will go West
TO start life anew OF his fifteen years sentence he
served less than four.
Mr. Baldwin reached Newark at 1895 p. m and walked
rapidly his house In Centrest His appearance Twas
almost unchanged He is little stouter and his hair
about the temples gray He was recognized by sew
eral old acqualntances At his house reporter was IN
formed in the afternoon that he was not at home Ex-
United states District Attorney A. L. Keasby. who con-
Quoted the prosecution OF Baldwin. remarked that
he was satisfied with tho result. The petition
10 the President for Baldwin's pardon was signed
by the judge attorney and all the members OF mo
trial Jury that convicted Baldwin. The petition. however
had afa fha
rarded nv the Newark men as OF the most capable
and experienced nanciers in the city. his whole life hay
ing been spent the banking business Before the fall
ure Of the Mechanics National Bank he not only con.
Quoted the large affairs of the bank but also transacted
business for several other largo Institutions OF
the city He was also shrewd political
manager and recognized as a power
I'm nominating conventions. Many OF his old friends
have not faith in him and adhere To the heller that
baldwin was rresisbly drawn into the transaction with
Christopher Nugcnt that turned ont dsastrousy that
his motive was benefit the bank, and that he was the
victim OF an extraordinary run OF bad luck. lie Is be
eved TO saved something out OF the wreck, and IL
is known that while In prison he mas maze money ny
partnership in contracts.